Tanmateix

Tanmateix is a Catalan adverb meaning "nevertheless" or "however," used to express a contrast or concession between statements. It functions as a connective that introduces a counterpoint or an unexpected outcome within the same discourse. Although it can appear in the middle of a sentence, it often starts a clause that refines or challenges what came before.

Etymology and register: the word derives from tan ("so" or "so much") plus mateix ("the same"), literally giving "thus the same," a formulation that has come to mean "nevertheless." It is commonly found in formal or literary Catalan, and remains frequent in journalism, academic writing, and crafted prose. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer more informal synonyms such as però or no obstant això depending on tone.

Usage notes: tanmateix can appear after a main proposition or at the beginning of a following clause. It signals a concession or a counterpoint rather than a simple contrast. It is regarded as more literary or formal than common conjunctions like però.

Examples:

- Va estudiar molt; tanmateix, no va aprovar l’examen. (He studied a lot; nevertheless, he did not pass the exam.)

- El projecte és viable; tanmateix, requereix més temps. (The project is viable; however, it requires more time.)

See also: no obstant això, per això, tot i això. These expressions serve similar functions in signaling contrast or concession, with varying degrees of formality.